Australia

Overview

            The Land Down Under is the sixth largest country in the world.  Australia is located in the southern hemisphere and is the only country that is also a continent.  Australia is the best of both worlds with the gorgeous beaches and countryside and the perfect exciting cities.

MELBOURNE

QUIKSILVER

            The famous board short company, QUIKSILVER comes from Australia.  The headquarters is located near the beaches, and there a QUIKSILVER store is located near the headquarters.  Inside QUIKSILVER, there is a design center, a sampling room, a graphics room, etc.  QUIKSILVER keeps samples from previous years in order to help designers with upcoming designs.  The graphics center uses a graph in order to determine the measurements of the board shorts.  By using graphs, the measurements are precise and the proportions can easily be seen.  QUIKSILVER has a very employee friendly policy.  Everyone is encouraged to act as a team and the brand fosters creativity and freedom. 

 

Bells Beach

            Bells beach is located in Victoria, and is home to the Rip Curl Pro competition.  The beach is beautiful and has amazing waves; the waves are three to four meters.  This beach is famous in Australia and is a great beach for surfing. 

Australian Academy of Design

            The Australian Academy Design is located in Melbourne.  The Academy specializes in Advertising, Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Photo Media, and Visual Arts.  The Academy showcases different talents of the students in the school; each piece is very creative and interesting to see.  Some of the students fashion students are designing pieces for an upcoming competition.  The pieces have been inspired by immigrants, ports, luggage, old silhouettes, and more.  The school is very impressive to see and the programs offered are incredible.  

 

Melbourne’s GPO

            Melbourne’s GPO has undergone a drastic change.  Once a postal hall used for mailing, the GPO is now a fashion shopping center.  In 2004, the building was redecorated and made into a shopping center.  The GPO features many Australian designers and offers a large variety of upscale clothing.  There are also dinning opportunities within the mall and on the outskirts of the building.  This shopping center is very unique and has a boutique like appeal.  There are three stories and over 50 stores are located inside.  The design of the GPO, the history, and the boutiques and café inside create a unique and fabulous shopping experience.

 

Myers and David Jones

            Myers and David Jones are department stores in Australia.  These department stores are upscale and offer many brands.  The department stores are similar to American department stores.  The décor inside the buildings contribute to the overall shopping experience.  Both stores are large and have numerous floors which feature specific clothing and housing categories.

Brunswick Street

            Brunswick Street is an older street in Melbourne that has been revamped and made into a hot spot.  Vintage stores line the street, each offering customers amazing selections.  There are stores that offer vintage items and stores that specialize in more modern vintage inspired clothing.  Brunswick Street also has restaurants and cafes, bars that turn into night clubs, and live music.  It is definitely a hip area, and the experience is thrilling.  

 

Melbourne Aquarium

     Melbourne offers an Aquarium fun for all ages.  The aquarium is both educational and exciting to visit.  As visitors enter the aquarium, they are greeted by adorable penguins.  There are specific feeding times that are posted daily so that visitors may watch the staff as they feed the penguins.  There is also all kinds of fish inside.  Sharks and stingrays are a main attraction, and the aquarium houses many different breeds.  Visits last around an hour and a half, and there is much fun to be had here!

SYDNEY

Sydney Opera House

            The Sydney Opera House is considered one of the wonders of the modern world.  Designed by Jorn Utzon, it was opened in October 1973.  The Opera House is home to The Australian Ballet, Ensemble Theatre, Opera Australia, The Sydney Theatre Company, and much more.  Performances are conducted all the time at the Opera House.

Strand Arcade

            The Strand opened in 1892 and is a unique shopping center in Sydney.  Inside, the Strand is elegant and has three floors of amazing boutiques to shop.  There are excellent shops that specialize in all categories of women’s fashion.  There is also specialty food shops, and home décor shopping stores.  Some of the stores require appointments, and the stores are upscale and wonderful. 

Surry Hills

            The Surry Hill location is full of vintage and unique shops.  Taking a trip to this area is like traveling back in time.  The shops, cafes, people, surrounding, etc. all have a vintage feel and makes the area very interesting to visit.  There are great finds in many of the shops for great deals.  Shops are full of old jewelry, clothing, records, home furnishings etc.  The shopping experience is great!

The Paddington Area

            The Paddington Area is an area that houses interesting shops.  The area has a vintage appeal and the shops are very unique.  Many independent designers can be found here offering one of a kind items.  There are also vintage shops, milliners, cafes, and other interesting boutiques.

Manly Beach

            Manly Beach is a northern beach near Sydney.  The beach is lovely and perfect for surfing and sunbathing.  Beautiful cliffs are located near the beach, and views are incredible.  The area around the beach offers shopping and dining.  There are many stores to shop for clothing or souvenirs.  Restaurants vary from fast food to fine dining, and beach front restaurants are very popular.  This is a wonderful beach to visit.